Impulse-starter.



E. GASSMANN.-

Patented Deo. 25, 1917 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. GASSMANN.

IMPULSE STARTER.

APPLICATION man JAN. 26. |911.

1 ,251,21 6. Patented Dee. 25, 1917.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

EUGENE GASSMANN,

4OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, .ASSIGNOR TOEISEMNN MAGNETO CO.OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

IMPULSE-STARTER.

specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 26, 191'?.` Serial 110.144,64?.

rent generator, and whereby the armature,

or other rotatable part of the electric current generator, may be driven, independently of the means provided for driving the generator from the shaft of the engine, through a part of its revolution at a suiiicient speed to produce a spark 'of ample capacity to ignite the charge in the cylinder of the engine. Vhen the engine'is running, the mechanism serves as a coupling, connecting the drive shaft with the-armature shaft, or other rotating part of the kelectric, current generator.

An impulse starting mechanism, constructed according to my invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- A y Figure 1 is a perspective view of the driven member of the impulse starting mechnnism, part of the rim 'being broken ofi' to disclose its interior construction;

Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the driving member;

Fig. 3 is a plan viewof the yoke or coupling member; i

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the driven member with the coupling member, the spring, yieldingly connecting the driving and they driven member, and (in section) parts of the driving member; the enumerated parts of the mechanism being shown in theirrelative positions when the magneto is driven by the engine, the impulse starting mechanismI then acting as a coupling;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the impulse starting mechanism assembled; the parts being shown in their relative positions when the generator is not running;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View on line 6 6 indicated in Fig. 5; the parts being shown in the same position as in Fig. 5.; A

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view like Fig. 6,

. I but showing the arts in their relative positions when the rven member is held fast Y cou lino member from its by the engagement of the coupling member in the notch of the catch-plate, located underneath, and the driving member rotated in advanceof the driven member to the point at whichits cam-part begins to lift the coupling member from its engagement with the catch-plate;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental sideelevation, and F10". 9 a front view of a ma neto with the impulse starting mechanism applied tothe armature shaft.

Figs. 10 and l1 are sectional views like Figs. 6 and 7 respectively, but showing a modified construction of my improved impulse starter, wherein a flat coiled spring is used in. place of the spirally wound spring, employed in the preferred embodiment of my invention; Fig. l0 shows the parts in their relative positions when the magnetois driven by the engine, the impulse starting mechanism then acting as a coupling, andy Fig. 11 shows the parts in their relative positions when the driven member is held fast by the engagement of the coupling member with the notch in the catch-plate, located underneath, and the driving member rotated, in advance of thel driven member, to the point at which its cam-part begins to lift the engagement .with the notch inthe catch-plate.

The driven vmember of the impulse starter (see Fig. 1) designated 11 inthe drawings, is made in the form of a cylindrical casing, centrally `perforated' and providedL with a hubl 12, which is interiorly fitted upon the shaft ot'` the rotatabie part of an electric .ncurrent generator. and is provided with akey way 13 for fixing it thereto'. The rim 14 of this driven member is made of suiiicient width to accommodate the parts of the impulse starting mechanism housed therein. T he driving member 15, (see Fig. 2) is made in the form of a disk, also centrally perforated and provided with a hub 16, which is interiorly fitted upon the hub 12 of the driven member.' The hub 16 of the driving member is recessed as shown in Fig. 2, to form the cam, divided by the notch 19 into the two parts 17 and 18, co-acting with the cams 24 and 25 of the yoke or coupling member 21 (see Fig. 3) as explained farther on. This member is formed as an elliptical dislr with a bolt-like extension 22, which I designate the trigger, on one end, extending in line with its long axis, and one or two Patented Dec. 25, 1917.

segments 23, aixed-thereto on the other end. The trigger 22 enga es in the aperture 26 made in the rim 14 o the driven part 11 of the device, the trigger 22 belng shaped to 'slide'freely therein. The dimensions of the yoke 21, and ofthe trigger. 22,A are so .proportioned, that the trigger 1s always 1n engagement with the aperture 26 in the rim 14 of the driven lmemberl (see Fig. 4) whereby the two members are constantly locked to-f generator-stands still. The above Amentioned cams,'designated respectively 24 and 25, are formed on the interior surface of the yoke, approximately opposite each other. These two cams are shaped to co-act with .the above mentioned cam-partsl7 and 18, and with the notch 419, formed onthe hub of thedriving member, inthe operation of the impulse starting device. They are so located, and so dimensloned, that one of them always jects 4into. the circumference ofthe ub -16 of the driving part 1 5, that is to say, when the yoke 21 is at Athe limit of its inward mo tion, withdrawn wlthinv the outer circumfer-v encev in the rim 14 as Shown in Fig.- `4, the cam 25 projects into the circumference of the hub 16, whereas when the yoke 21 is inits opposite extreme position, the cam 24 is with- 1n the circumference of the hub 16, as shown.

in Figs. 5, 6 and7. When the parts are in the osition shown in Fig. '4, the cam 25 engages 1n the notch 19, made i-n 'the hub 16 of the driving member, thus clutching the'driven and the drivingmember together.

The driven member 11 and the driving member- 15 are yieldingly connected bvthe spring 27. This may be a spiral spring between the block 28, secured to the rim 14 of the driven member 11, and the block 29 secured to the driving member 15, one of its ends connecting with the block 28 and the other` with the block 29,'as vshown in the drawings, or a flat spring coiled in the'same space and, havin one end secured to the hub 16 of the driving member 15, and the other end to the rim ofthe driven member 11, may be used instead. This construction is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, which are sectional views like those shownin Figs. 6 and 7 but in. Fig. 10 the component parts of the modied construction of my improved impulse starter are shown in the same relative positions as .shown in Fig. 4, that is,

when the impulse starter acts as al coupling,

the magneto being driven by theengine. In

Fig. 11 the relative positions of these-parts are the same as shown-in Fig. 7, when .the

driven member is held by the engagement of thecoupllng member in the notch in the catchlate, and thedriving member -ad Vance 2 relatively tothe driven member, to the. olnt, at which its cam-part `beglns to lift t e coupling member from the notch.

Referring to Fig. 10, the part designated 11 is the same driven member as hereinbefore l scribed preferred form of embodiment of my I invention. The segmental piece 38 is shaped to afford hooking thereto, as shown at 37, of one end of the coiled band spring 27 the other lend'oi the spring 27 is secured 1n the -slot, made in the cam-part 16 of the dr1vmg member 15, as`\shown at 42. In all other respects the modified construction of mv imroved impulse starter y1s the same as shown 1n theother iigures of the drawing, and as hereinbefore described. In both construetions the spring yieldingly holds the driven and the drlving member in their relative positions, permitting of a partial rotationof the drivin driven mem er 11, vand is set at'tension whenl the driving member 15 is thus rotated in adlVance of the driven member 11. The web 33 (see Figs. 1 and 5) shown to beaiiixed to the rim 14 of the driven member, is used to avoid contact between the', yoke 21 and the spring 27, -which might, vowing to the arch 23, protruding from the plane of the *yoke 21, interfere with the operation of the said spring. It serves alsol to guide the reciprocatory movements of the yoke or couplin member 21.

4T e relative positions fof the driven and the driving member, and ofthe other parts of my improved impulse starter, shown in Fig. 4, are the positions in which they areA maintained while the 'engine' is running, the centrifu al force,acting on the weighted goint 25 in the notch 19 of the driving memer 15, and-holding the parts in that posi tion. When, however, the engine stops, the

l centrifugal force ceases to act and the yoke alsA member 15 relatively. to the the hub 16 of the driving member 15, and

the'driven member 11, and the driving member 15,*'are held in thei solely by the spring 27. The driving member 15 may then be rotated in advance of the -To enable this to be driven member .11. done against the resistanceo the s ring 27, the catch-.plate30, secured to the rame of the' electric current generator (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9) by the relative position stud bolts 32, is provided.

110 parts 28 oftl e yoke or coupllng member 21, maintalning the engagement of its cam- The trigger 22 engages in the notch 31 of the catch-plate 30, when lthe ycke or cou' pling member 2l drops by gravity as above explained, and the driven member il is 5 thereby held against rotating'with the driv ing member 15, and the spring 27 is compressed (or would be Wound up, if a coiled spring were used instead) and thus set at tension. lVhen the cam-part 17 on the hub' 0 16 isV brought into co-action With the cam 24 on the yoke, or coupling member 2l, the further continued rotating of the driving member l5, which is then in the position shown in Fig'. 7, results in withdrawing the., V triggerQQ from the notch 3l, `thereby releas ing the driven member 1l. Then the spring 27, i'e-acting against the block 28, propels the driven member ll, and the rotary part of the electric current generator to which the driven member l1 is secured, at a comparatively high speed through an arc of its revolution. requisite current for a spark of s'uiicient volume and intensity to ignite the charge in .25 the cylinder and thereby to start the engine engine is started., the rotating of the impulse starter produces the requisite centrifugal force to retract the yoke or coupling member 21, whereby the cam-point 25 is brought into engagement'with the notchlQ. The driving and the driven member are thus coupled together, and any deviation in the timing of the apparatus is precluded. The parts of the impulse starter-are then in the positions lillustrated in Fig. 4, the spring 27 being inactive and not subjected to any stress `Whatever.

I claim as my invention:

1. An impulse starter for an electrical current generator, comprising a driven member, adapted to be secured to the 'rota table part of the generator; a driving meinber rotatably mounted on the driven member; a reciprocating yoke bet-Ween the driven and the driving member, the yoke having a bolt-like extension` permanently engaging with the driven member and projecting beyond the periphery thereof when the yoke is reciprocated to the end of its motion in that direction; means for engaging the boltlike extension when thus projected beyond the periphery of the driven member; a spring; means on the driven and on the driving member for setting it at tension by 65 rotating the driving member in advance of shaped aperture This results in producing the4 bers;v means for setting the spring on the hub of the dr .means for engaging the boit the driven member, and coperating means on the yoke, and on the driven member, for moving the yoke to recede its bolt-like extension to release the driven member, after thespring `isset at tension; substantiallyas herein shown and described. n

2. An impulse starter for an el ctrical current generator, comprising aV driven member having a hub adapted to secure it to the rotatable part oi" the generator; a

driving member rotatably mounted on the hub of the driven member; a cam havin a recess on the hub or the driving member; a

yoke adapted projection engaging in a correspondingly in the-rim orl l the driven member; means for engaging the boltshaped projection et the yoke When'p'rou jected beyond the periphery of the driveny holding the latter member, and thereby against rotation; nesting the driving and the driven memtension by rotating 'the driving member in advance'of the driven nieinberg cams the yoke in position to coperatie 'with the cam i ig member to recede the bolt-shaped projection from its engagement with the holding means when the driving member is rotated in advance of the driven meinber;.` substantially as herein I shown and described.

3..An impulse starter for an. electrical current generator, comprising a driven member adapted 'to be secured to the rotatable part ci" the generator; a driving mem- -ber rotatably mounted on the driven mem- 4force; a boitiike extension on the yoke per- -manently engaging with the driven memberI and projecting beyond vthe periphery thereoi' when the yoke is moved by gravity; 'ke extension when thus projected; a spring connecting the driven and o a 1 ber and adapted to be set at tensionby ro tating the driving member in advance of the driven member; and means on the yoke, and on the driving ineinbenadapted to cooperate to raise the yoke and thereby to recede its bolt-like extension Within `the periphery or' the driven member when the driving member is rotated in advance oic the driven member; substantially as fherein shown and described. j

4. An impulse starter 'for an electrical current generator, comprising a cylindrical casing'adapted to be secured tothe rotatable part of the generator; a coupling member rotatable relatively thereto; a` radially oscillating' yoke reyolving with the casing and engaging positively with the coupling meinto be reciprocated. on the driven member and having a bolt-shaped a spring yieldingly con-' th crivingf mem- A ioA ' current 5t parts on the yoke,

gaging the yoke and holding it, and the casing, against rotation v vhen the yoke -is at the other limit of its motion; aspring y1eldingly connecting the casing and the coupling member, and permitting relative rotation of them, and cooperating cams on the yoke, and on the coupling member, adapted to move the yoke into a position intermediate the point of engagementof the casing and With the coupling when the spring is placed under stress by forward movement of the coupling relative to the casing; substantially as herein shown and described.

5. An impulsel starter for an electrical enerator, comprising a cylindrical casing a apted to be secured to the rotatable part of the generator; a coupling member rotatable relatively thereto; a radially oscillating yoke, mounted' in the casing and re volving therewith, rand engaging positively with the coupling member when at the limit of the motion of the yoke caused by centrifugal force; a stop engaging the yoke and holding it, and the casing, against rotation when the casin and the yoke are'at'rest; a spring yieldingly connecting the casing and the coupling member; a cam-point on the f yoke, and a cooperating cam part on the coupling member, adapted'to move the yoke v 'to disengage it from the stop, and into an engagement With the coupling, When the spring is set at tension by rotating the coupling member forward relative to the cas ing; substantially as herein shown and described.

` 6. An impulse'starter for an electrical current Generator, comprising a cylindrical casing adapted to be secured to the rotatable part of the generator; a yoke rotating with the casing, and radially reciprocating thereon when actuated alternately by centrifugal force and by gravity; a stop adapted to be engaged by the yoke and. thereby to arrest its rotation and the rotation of the casing When the yoke is at the lower limit of its motion; a linger on the yoke adapted to positively interlock with the couplingmember When the yoke is at the limit of its motion caused Vby the centrifugal force; a spring yieldingly connecting the casing and the coupling member, and permitting a limited forward movement of the coupling member relative to the casing, and cooperating cam and on the coupling member, adapted to release the yoke, and the casing fromltlie stop, when the coupling member is at the forward limit of its rotary motion relative to the casing; substantially as herein shown and described.

7. Anfimpulse starter for an electrical Copies of this patent'may be obtained for current generator,

comprising` a. casing adapted to be secured tothe rotatable part of the geenrator; a coupling member rotatable relative to the casing; a` radially oscillating yoke revolving with the casing and engaging With the coupling member when the yoke is 'at the limit of its motion lpropelled by centrifugal force; a stop adapted to intercept andV lock the yoke, and thevcasing, and preventing it from rotating when the yoke is at the lower limit of its motion cam members on the coupling lmember and on the yoke adapted to move the yoke into a position releasing it, and the casing, from the stop, and a spring resisting rota-ry movement of the coupling member relative to the yoke to the cam releasing position, andthen driving the casing forward; substantially as herein shown and described.

8. Thev combination with a driven member, secured to the rotatable part of an electric current generator, a driving member rotatably mounted thereon, and a spring set between so as to be tensioned by rotating the driving member in advance of the driven member, of a coupling device permanentlyy engaging'vvith the driven member and adapted to be brought automatically in engagement with the driving member When the driving member is rotated to a predetermined point in advance of the drivenv member, and means on the coupling device for holding it in engagement With the driving member While the generator is driven at or above its normal speed; substantially as herein shown and described.

9. The combination with a driven mem'- ber, secured to the rotatable part of an electric current generator, a driving member rotatably mounted thereon, and a spring set between so as to be tensioned by rotating the driving member in advance of the driven member; of a coupling device having a bolt like extension permanently engaging With the driven member and the periphery of the driven member; retaining means for engaging the bolt-like extension when projected beyond the periphery of the driven member; means on the said coupling device and on the driving member, whereby the coupling device is brought automatically in engagement With the driving member, and the bolt-like extension receded from its engagement With the retaining means, when the driving member is rotated to a predetermined point in advance of the driven member; substantially as herein shown and described.

EUGENE GASSllANN.

Witnesses:

PAULA BAjins, LOUISE KELLER,

Washington, D. Ol

proj ectable beyond 

